Volkswagen Unveils ‘iPhone Car’

The car costs 40 times more than the phone, but the iPhone integration is the big selling point on Volkswagen AG's new iBeetle, launched at the Shanghai Motor Show.

Apple Inc. and Volkswagen have done a deal to pair their iconic products: the Beetle car and the iPhone. It's the car that is hoping to get a publicity lift from the smartphone.

But before getting too carried away this is not the “car as platform,” the opening up of a car's systems to allow independent developers to build car apps. Rather, the iBeetle integration with the iPhone comprises merely an iPhone 5 cradle built into the dashboard.

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com.